Units timetabled for 2013 and 2014 are provisional only, and details of semester and time will change. The official timetable for each year is released on 1 September of the prior year.

Archived unit descriptions for 2011 are available here.

The New Theology: Forerunners to Vatican II

Unit Code: 
CT305
RTI: 
United Faculty of Theology
Unit Value: 
15 points

This unit examines the key writings of the Jesuit and Dominican theologians whose work anticipated and contributed to the reforms of Vatican II. Through close textual study of these theologians, students will explore the critical ferment of the ‘return to sources’ movements in liturgical, patristic and historical studies prior to Vatican II. The unit will focus on the work of Jean Daniélou SJ, Henri de Lubac SJ, M.-D. Chenu OP, and Yves Congar OP.

Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:

  1. Describe the influence of the theologians studied on the major documents of Vatican II: Lumen Gentium, Dei Verbum, Gaudium et Spes
  2. Articulate and defend a position in the current debate on continuity or discontinuity between Vatican I and Vatican II
  3. Demonstrate critical understanding of one theologian’s contribution to Vatican II.
  4. Demonstrate analytical and research skills in theology at graduate level
Lecturer/s: 
Janette Gray
Timetabling
Location: 
Centre for Theology and Ministry
Unit Frequency: 
Occasional
Unit Fields
Courses: 
Graduate Diploma in Theology
Courses: 
Master of Divinity
Courses: 
Master of Theological Studies
Field: 
Field C Christian Thought and History
Disciplines: 
Systematic Theology
MDiv Field: 
Christian Thought and History
Department Name: 
Department of Christian Thought and History
Unit Level
GradDip Field: 
Elective
MDiv Type of Study: 
Specialised
Prerequisites: 

At least 30 points of study in Systematic Theology, preferably including CT217/317 Church: Community for the Kingdom or equivalent.

Prohibited Combinations: 

None

Mode of Teaching: 
Semester
Teaching Methods: 

Weekly seminars

Workload
Number of timetabled hours per week: 
3
Expected personal study hours per week: 
9
Total workload hours per week: 
12
Total workload hours for unit: 
144
Assessment
Assessment TypeWeightingLearning Outcomes Assessed
Assessment Type: 

1 discussion paper presented in class then submitted in writing (2500 words)

Weighting: 
40%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
3
Assessment Type: 

1 essay (3500 words)

Weighting: 
60%
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 
1, 2
Recommended reading: 

* = set texts recommended for purchase

Chenu OP, Marie-Dominique. Faith and Theology. (Dublin: Gill, 1968).

Congar OP, Yves. Lay People in the Church. (London: Chapman, 1965).

Daniélou SJ, Jean. God and the Ways of Knowing. (New York: Meridian, 1957).

Kennedy OP, Philip. Twentieth Century Theologians. (London: Taurus, 2010).

Kerr OP, Fergus. Twentieth Century Catholic Theologians. (Oxford: Blackwell, 2007).

Lubac SJ, Henri de. Catholicism. (San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1988).

Mettepenningen, Jurgen. Nouvelle Théologie / New Theology. (New York: T&T Clark, 2010).

© United Faculty of Theology, 2008-2012.